Breaking down the new formula for safety-rule suspensions

Key Points:

• The NFL and NFL Players Association have implemented a new disciplinary formula that mandates a one-game suspension after a player commits three violations of the same specific safety rule, with a system that can carry violations over from one year to the next for five types of infractions.
• All players start each season with a clean slate, but if a player has two violations in a season, one violation carries over to the next year; a third violation results in a suspension and carrying two violations into the following season.
• The five specific infractions monitored under this system are hip-drop tackles, horse-collar tackles, launching, hits on defenseless players, and blindside blocks.
• The new system aims to encourage players to avoid repeat offenses by making the threat of suspension clearer, with teams and media closely tracking violations to inform players and fans of potential suspensions.
• According to projections, the new formula would have resulted in only one suspension in both 2024 and 2025, suggesting it may effectively deter repeat violations without excessive penalties.